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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

PERMIT/APPROVAL LETTER INFORMATION

& FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(FAQ’S)

STANISLAUS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ONE-DAY, ONE SITE ALCOHOLIC

BEVERAGE LICENSE PERMIT/APPROVAL LETTER(S) AND OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT

ACTIVITIES APPLICATION(S) ONLY.

Before you begin, please note that this information is specific to the One-Day, One Site Alcoholic Beverage

License Permit/Approval Letters and Outdoor Entertainment Activities Applications for events held in

Stanislaus County.

If your event is being held inside the limits of a city, i.e., Modesto, Turlock, Waterford, Riverbank, Patterson,

etc., you must go through that city to obtain your permit.

For your convenience, and although subject to change, at the time of this document below are websites for

departments offering applications for Parades, Bicycle Races, Bingo Licenses, events being held at Reservoirs,

etc.

Please contact Stanislaus Parks and Recreation for application(s), application fee(s), rules, regulation(s),

submission requirement(s), etc., if you are organizing an event at one of the Stanislaus County Reservoirs (i.e.,

Modesto or Woodward) and/or a Park (i.e., La Grange).

http://www.stancounty.com/parks/

Please contact Public Works for application(s), fee(s), submission requirement(s), etc., if you are arranging an

activity that will be executed within a Stanislaus County easement, roadway, or right-of-way, such as a Parade,

Bicycle Race, TV Commercial, Road closure, etc.

http://www.stancounty.com/publicworks/

Please contact Stanislaus County Tax Collector for the following application(s):

• New Business Licenses and Renewal of these licenses for locations outside of City limits.

• Other Permits and Licenses:

o License of a Circus or Carnival

o Peddlers Permit

o Public Dance Hall

o Public Dance

o Taxicab

o Scrap Metal Dealer

o License to Sell Firearms

o Massage Establishments

o Bingo License

o Secondhand Dealer License

http://www.stancounty.com/tr-tax/

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FAQ’S

1. How do I get started?

Applications and information for Outdoor Entertainment Activities Permits and One-Day, One Site Alcoholic

Beverage Licenses Permit/Approval Letters for Stanislaus County can be obtained on the Stanislaus County

Sheriff's Department Web Site:

https://scsdonline.com./

Click Department Forms, then Records Division, then select and download the form(s)/application(s) you will

be needing. As a convenience, certain forms have been made fillable and may be typed then printed.

Applications may also be picked up in person at the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department located at 250 E.

Hackett Road in Modesto, California between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday (excluding

holidays).

*Please make sure the contact number(s) listed on the application(s) is a working number and has been set up to

receive voice mail.

2. How long does it take to get an Outdoor Entertainment Activities and/or One-Day Alcoholic

Beverage Application processed?

Because applications vary in complexity, (i.e., location of event, attendance number anticipated, whether it will

be open to the public, whether alcohol will be served, etc.) and are processed in the order received, it is difficult

to know exactly when your application(s) will finalize, however, unless there are unforeseeable delay(s), all

applications are completed within the fourteen (14) business days prior to event date submittal time frame

required.

Please note, after the Permit/Approval Letter is obtained from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, the

California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) currently requires no less than ten (10) days prior

to the event date to complete their portion of this process.

(Please visit the ABC web site for additional information, requirements and updates).

Although subject to change, as of the date of this document the web site, address and contact number for the

California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is:

https://www.abc.ca.gov/

Address: 31 Channel St # 168

Stockton, CA 95202

Phone: (209) 948-7739

*Please make sure the event date allows enough time to meet the time requirement(s) for each individual

department involved and that the contact number(s) listed on the application(s) is a working number and has

been set up to receive voice mail.

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3. Do I have to pick up my Permit/Approval Letter in person or will it be mailed to me?

Yes. It is not the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Departments policy to mail Permit/Approval Letters because they

are originals and time sensitive.

You will need to pick up your Permit/Approval Letter in person and you may be asked to show your ID.

Under certain extenuating circumstances authorization may be granted which would allow original

document(s) to be mailed, however, if mailed, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department assumes no

responsibility if said original is lost, stolen, damaged, delayed in transit and/or expires.

4. Can I have someone else pick up the Permit/Approval Letter?

Yes. Someone else may pick up the Permit/Approval Letter(s) other than the named applicant, however,

arrangements will need to be made and the person picking up the document may need to show ID.

5. What happens after I have submitted a complete application?

Once a complete One-Day Alcoholic Beverage License and/or an Outdoor Entertainment Activities Application

and/or a combination of the two has been received it is sent to different County Departments (and individuals

within those departments) called the Permit Group for their portion of the process, review, approval and/or

denial comments.

Parks

Department:

209-525-6750

Public Works

Department:

209-525-4130

Planning

Department:

209-525-6330

Environmental

Resources:

209-525-6700

Tax

Collector:

209-525-6388

Each department will provide comment(s) for the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Watch Commander. If no

comment(s) are provided, individual departments within the Permit Group understand that their comment(s) are

forfeit and that the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department will proceed under presumption that all their

requirement(s) have been met.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Watch Commander makes the final decision on whether to approve or deny the

application based on relevant law enforcement data collected through the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s

Departments portion of the process and the comments provided by the different departments in the Permit

Group.

If approved, a Permit/Approval Letter is generated for issuance and signature. Once signed by the Watch

Commander it is made available to be picked up.

The applicant named on the application will be notified when the original document(s) are available to be

picked up.

The Stanislaus County Records Division is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (excluding holidays).

If denied, the named applicant will be notified of the denial.

*Please make sure the contact number listed on the application is a working number and has been set up to

receive voice mail.

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6. When do I need to turn in my One-Day, One Cite Alcohol Beverage License Permit/Approval

Letter and/or Outdoor Entertainment Activities Application(s)?

It depends on the date of the event.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department One-Day Alcoholic Beverage License and Outdoor Entertainment

Activities application(s) need to be received no later than fourteen (14) business days prior to the event date

to allow time for processing, review, approval and/or denial, and for the Permit/Approval Letter to be generated

for issuance, signed off and made available to be picked up.

This Permit/Approval Letter is required by the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC)

before an applicant can obtain the actual Alcohol License which is issued by their agency.

After the original Permit/Approval Letter is obtained, ABC currently requires no less than ten (10) days prior

to the event date to complete their portion of this process.

(Please visit the ABC web site for additional information and requirements by their department).

Although subject to change, as of the date of this document the web site, address and contact number for the

California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is:

https://www.abc.ca.gov/

Address: 31 Channel St # 168, Stockton, CA 95202

Phone: (209) 948-7739

*Please make sure the event date allows enough time to meet the time requirement(s) for each individual

department involved.

7. What is an outdoor entertainment activity?

The Stanislaus County Code, Title 6 Business Licenses and Regulations, Chapter 6.40 Outdoor Entertainment

Activities in unincorporated areas, 6.40.050 defines it as:

“Outdoor Entertainment Activity” means any musical, theatrical, or other entertainment activity to which

members of the public are invited or admitted and which is held at any place other than a facility for which a

valid use permit has been issued which authorizes the activity to take place at said location. (Ord. CS 615 §§1,

2, 7(part), 1995).

Applicants can find information pertaining to the license application contents and fee under County Code

6.40.080.

8. Where do I go to pick up and/or turn in an Outdoor Entertainment

Activities Application(s) and/or the One-Day, One Site Alcoholic Beverage License Application(s)?

Applications can be picked up and/or dropped off in person or mailed to 250 E. Hackett Road, Modesto, CA,

95358.

The Records Division is open Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (excluding holidays).

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One-Day Alcoholic Beverage License Permit/Approval Letter and Outdoor Entertainment Activities

applications can also be obtained on the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department web site:

https://scsdonline.com/

Click Department Forms, then Records, click on the form needed, download and print.

9. May I drop off my application in person?

Yes. Complete applications may be dropped off in person but must be received no later than fourteen (14)

business days prior to the event date.

10. May I mail my application?

Yes. Applications may be mailed to:

Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department

Attn: Permits

250 E. Hackett Road

Modesto, CA 95358

Application(s) must be received, (not post marked) “received”, no later than fourteen (14) business days prior

to the event date.

Before mailing your application, please ensure that it is complete and will arrive on time.

Late, illegible or incomplete application received by mail will be returned.

If applicant(s) do choose to mail in their application(s), please note that the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s

Department assumes no responsibility if application(s) are lost, stolen, damaged or delayed in transit.

11. May I email or fax my application?

No. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department does not accept faxed, emailed, incomplete, illegible or late

applications.

Applications must be mailed or dropped off in person and received fourteen (14) business days prior to the

event date listed on the application.

If mailed, please note that the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department assumes no responsibility if

application(s) are lost, stolen, damaged or delayed in transit.

12. I’m missing, or waiting on a required attachment; may I submit what I have now and turn it in

later?

No. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the application(s) being submitted has been completed in its

entirety and that all required, acceptable attachments have been provided.

Late, incomplete and/or illegible applications cannot be processed therefore will not be accepted.

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If incomplete, illegible and/or late application(s) are mailed to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department they

will be returned.

13. May I use an outdated or self-generated application?

No. You will need to use the current form(s) available on the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department web site:

https://scsdonline.com/

Click Department Forms, then Records Division, and then the form(s) you are needing.

14. What documents are required?

It depends on the type of application(s) you are submitting, and other factors such as:

Is the event open to the public? Where is the event being held? Whether or not the applicant or organization are

the owner(s) of the site property? Whether or not the event is being held outdoors, etc.?

Please read the information carefully, take note of the instructions listed in the bottom left hand side of the

application stipulating, "ATTACH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS", read the explanation(s) and include all the

documents pertaining to the type of event you are having.

15. What can I do to speed up the process?

There is no method that can “speed up the process” per se, but to avoid unnecessary delay(s) and/or acceptance

and/or denial of your application (prior to submission) review the application to ensure it is legible, completed

in its entirety, no blank information fields have been left and that all required documentation has been

attached.

N/A is not an acceptable answer. Be sure to list the reason you believe the information would not be required.

Do not use P.O. Boxes for addresses. If you have a P.O. Box you want to use as a mailing address you may

indicate such on a separate piece of paper, attach it to the application along with your request that it be used for

mailing purposes.

Make sure contact phone number(s) can receive voice messages.

Use the instructions listed in the bottom left hand side of the application stating, "ATTACH THE

FOLLOWING ITEMS" as a check list to assist you in making sure no required attachment(s) are missing.

See example and highlighted explanations below:

ATTACH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

1. Contract from security firm (if event is open to the public). Date of contract must match the date(s) and time(s) of event.

(The Sheriff’s Department does not provide private security).

2. Certificate of liability insurance listing Stanislaus County Sheriff, 250 E. Hackett Road, Modesto, CA 95358 as certificate

holder. (Contact your insurance company for assistance if needed).

3. Letter of approval from property owner/or contract with the owner of property or designee (if other than the requestor or

organization) where the event is to be conducted/held.

4. Map of event. Must show the course, route or streets affected by the event. (Contact the Planning Department for assistance

if needed).

5. Complete, dated and signed Outdoor Entertainment Activities application if event is taking place outdoors

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6. Completed Copy of ABC application (if selling alcohol). Applications are available on the California Department Alcohol

Beverage Control website.

7. Completed, dated and signed One-Day Alcohol Beverage License application if serving alcohol.

Be sure to submit your application(s) in a timely fashion.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department currently requires fourteen (14) business days prior to the event

date to allow all the departments within the Permit Group time to complete their portion of the process.

Review your application for accuracy and ensure it is complete.

Remember illegible, incomplete, and late applications cannot be processed and will not be accepted.

Familiarize yourself with the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) requirement of

needing no less than ten (10) days prior to the event date to complete their portion of the process. Please call

their office or visit their web site for additional information.

16. When does my application get processed?

Complete applications are processed in the order they are received, however, because the amount of

submission(s) varies from day to day, an exact time cannot be provided.

17. Where can I find the fee(s) for the Outdoor Entertainment Activities Permit?

All fee(s) relating to the Outdoor Entertainment Activities Permit(s) application are listed in the application

packet.

Adding the appropriate application fee to the appropriate number of daily fee(s) provides the total.

As an example, a 3-day event for around 500 people would be calculated:

$50 application daily fee x 3 = $150 + $40 application fee = $190.00

18. Do I pay the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department for the Outdoor Entertainment Activities

Permit?

Yes. Fee(s) for the Outdoor Entertainment Activities Permit(s) are paid to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s

Department and are non-refundable.

19. Are fees refundable?

No. Application fees are not refundable.

20. Do I pay the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department for the ABC License?

No. Payment(s) for Alcoholic Beverage License(s) must be paid to ABC. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s

Department accepts payment for Outdoor Entertainment Activities Application Permit(s) only. No exceptions.

21. If there isn’t enough room on the application(s) or fillable form(s) for what I want to submit, may

I attach additional pages?

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Yes. You may attach additional pages to the application and/or any additional letter(s), explanation(s) or

documents you wish the Permit Group to consider.

22. Are you able to submit more than one application at a time?

Yes. Applications may be turned in with other application(s) but only if event(s) are being held on the same

day or within 7 consecutive days of each other.

For example, an Outdoor Entertainment Activities Application & One-Day, One Site Alcoholic Beverage

License often accompany each other.

If other than indicated above, event(s) held on separate date(s) require separate complete applications.

23. What type of map(s) do I need and where do I get them?

It depends on where the event is being held. Samples have been attached at the end of this information.

Most businesses have plot maps or site maps on premise.

If you are renting a hall or something equivalent, you may want to ask the manager or owner of the property for

a copy.

Some Arial maps can be obtained, downloaded and printed from the internet.

The Planning Department can also advise you on what type of map(s) and/or diagram(s) will be required and/or

are accepted for your event.

Although subject to change, as of the date of this document the web site, address and contact number for the

Planning and Community Development Department is:

http://www.stancounty.com/planning/contacts.shtm

http://www.stancounty.com/planning/forms/staff-approval-permit.pdf

Address: 1010 10th St # 3400, Modesto, CA 95354

Phone Line: (209) 525-6330

Acceptable maps may also be looked up using an assessor’s parcel number (APN).

An APN is a series of fourteen numbers/digits that are used as a file number to inventory or identify property.

If you know the APN to the property you will be using or renting you may be able to gain an acceptable map

through the Stanislaus County Assessor’s Office.

Although subject to change, as of the date of this document the web site address for the Stanislaus County

Assessor’s Office is:

http://www.stancounty.com/assessor/

Address: 1010 10th St #2400, Modesto, CA 95354

Phone: (209) 525-6461

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24. What is the Permit Group and what do they do?

The Permit Group consist of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department Watch Command and the departments

listed below:

Parks

Department:

209-525-6750

Public Works

Department:

209-525-4130

Planning

Department:

209-525-6330

Environmental

Resources:

209-525-6700

Tax

Collector:

209-525-6388

Each department has a different process (specific to their individual department) that applications undergo.

If you have remaining questions, please contact the appropriate agency or visit their web site(s) for additional

information, instruction(s) and/or update(s).

25. Can the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department provide individual statuses for different

department(s) within the Permit Group?

No. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department does not control and/or manage schedule(s), function(s),

deadline(s) or employee(s) of any of the other department(s) within the Permit Group.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department is the last step in the application process. If the application is

approved or denied by the Permit Group it is sent to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Watch Command for final

approval and or denial.

If the application is approved, a Permit/Approval Letter will be generated for signature and issuance. Once

signed by the Watch Commander, the applicant(s) will be notified that the Permit/Approval Letter is available

to be picked up.

26. Where do I get a Certificate of Liability listing the Stanislaus County Sheriff, 250 E. Hackett

Road, Modesto, CA 95358 as certificate holder?

An insurance agent or agency should be able to assist you with obtaining the correct certificate.

(See samples attached at the end of this information)

27. Can I change information on my application after it is submitted?

No. After a complete application has been submitted it is dispersed among the Permit Group and no changes

can be made.

28. Who do I contact if I still have additional question(s)?

After carefully reading all the information provided in the application packet(s) and available through online

resources, if you still have question(s), listed below are the different agencies and contact numbers for each

department that make up the Permit Group.

Planning Department:

209-525-6330 Environmental Resources:

209-525-6700 Tax Collector:

209-525-6388

Parks Department:

209-525-6750 Public Works Department:

209-525-4130 Watch Commander:

209-525-7031

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This information is also available at the end of the Outdoor Entertainment Activities Application and the One-

Day, One Site Alcoholic Beverage License Permit Letter applications.

Each department has their own representative(s) that you will need to contact if you have any question(s) or

concern(s) pertaining to any of the requirement(s) regarding acceptable attachment(s) and/or information

required or needed.

NOTE

Due to application(s) being of a time sensitive nature, to avoid unnecessary delay(s)

and/or denial of your application(s), please make sure your application(s) is legible, submitted in a timely

manner, is completed in its entirety and that all required attachment(s) have been provided

prior to submitting.

You will not be able to change your application(s) once it is submitted.

Make sure the contact number(s) listed on the application(s) is a working number and has been set up

to receive voice mail.

Illegible, incomplete, and/or late applications cannot be processed and will be returned.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department recommends that you submit your application(s) in person

but does permit them to be mailed in.

If applicant(s) choose to submit by mail, please note that the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department

assumes no responsibility if application(s) are lost, stolen, damaged or delayed in transit.

Thank you!

(Samples of Certificate of Liability Insurance and Maps are located on the next page)